I have had an interesting month. At this point, I am posting as I get the chance. Hopefully that will be more than once a month. I do want to point out, that Oliver and Kitty do enjoy their fun, but Oliver is strict about keeping the most outrageous things private. Sorry if you don't like it, but I'm not changing it. And I know there are some who don't like a more dominant man, but keep in mind the time period when you read a period story.
I hope y'all enjoy the chapter! And I hope none of this sounds snarky. I promise, I'm not.
The weeks passed and Catherine's first assembly came and went. She had been a success. The Haverly ladies had spread about many tales of her, saying she was homely, with dull hair and eyes. When the time came, her neighbors, some most begrudgingly, found her a refreshing face and personality. Her beauty was praised and many remarked that her beauty alone was enough to recommend her to one of their most eligible bachelors. The only credible truth that anyone found in the claims of Mrs. Haverly and her daughter, was that she was a bit short, but that was hardly a drawback.
Spring had officially passed, and it was well into summer. Julia and Catherine spent a great deal of time together, at one estate or the other, calling on neighbors in the company of one another. It seemed to give both women the needed confidence to face the masses as the two newest, permanent members of their small part of Nottinghamshire. It was during these weeks that Oliver remembered his promise to teach his bride horsemanship. Catherine did well enough, in her own opinion. She enjoyed the activity, but she decided it was not one she would wish to take part of outside the company of her husband.
One day, the small group of friends were riding together between their estates. It was a very warm day, and when they came upon a stream that cut across the land, the gentlemen could not help themselves but indulge.
"What are you doing?!" shrieked Julia.
"What does it look like, my love?" winked Thomas as he stripped down another layer. "We are going for a swim."
Both ladies stared on as their respective husbands stripped down to their linen shirts and breeches. Catherine leaned over to Julia. "What do you think we should do? No offense, but I really do not wish for Thomas to see me in such… undress."
"Nor do I wish for Oliver to see me in such a state. Thomas and I swam in the pond last summer, but it was only the two of us."
"So what shall we do?"
Julia thought for a moment and smirked. "Are you a confident enough rider to make it back to Dalton on your own?"
Catherine laughed as she rode into the stable, Oliver's horse and discarded clothes in tow. She was shocked when Julia first came up with the idea. Initially, they were only going to take the horses, but Catherine thought it would be even funnier to take their clothes. Julia agreed. The men's shouts promised retribution, but neither ladies cared. She handed over the reins and warned that Mr. Andrews would be coming soon… on foot.
She dashed into the house, but before she could make it up the stairs, Mrs. Croft found her.
"Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Andrews has arrived for a surprise visit," she said with a funny look on her face. "This might get confusing."
"Has she been settled into her rooms?" she giggled.
"Yes ma'am."
"If you would, please have a tea prepared and have Mother informed that I shall meet her in the first floor salon in twenty minutes."
She made it to their room in good time, and her maid, Lucy, was there to help her change. Once she was ready, she walked to the window. Oliver had already covered half the distance. She giggled as she watched him look up at the house. She knew the moment he noticed her. He pointed at her and hastened his steps once more. Planning to take advantage of the situation, she, too, quickened her steps to meet her mother-in-law. Their greeting was pleasant. Diana brought with her news from Hertfordshire. It had been nearly two months since she had married and left her childhood home.
"Mrs. Bennet bid me to ask when you would be sending for one of your sisters to come and stay with you. She claimed that you seemed to have forgotten to include it in your last letter. I told her that there were not many single men left in the neighborhood, but she is insistent, stating that there may yet be some who are perhaps too young to take a wife at the moment, but that it would not hurt for them to become aware of your youngest sister."
"I did not forget, I keep hoping she will catch the hint. Oliver will not have Lydia stay with us, nor will he have any of my sisters to stay with us. I heartily agree with him. I am not ready to have any of my sisters in my house. Not at the moment, in any case."
"Catherine!" they heard Oliver call, bringing all further discussion to a halt. "Catherine, dearest, I demand satisfaction!"
Catherine was struggling to keep herself composed. Diana looked at her in amused confusion. Not wanting to give it away, she cleared her throat and called out to her husband. "I am in the salon, Oliver."
They heard his laughing voice as he neared the door. "You, my dear, are in so much… Mother!" Catherine nearly lost it at his gaping face.
"Oliver! What do you mean prancing about the house in only your breeches and shirt?! Where are your boots? And your coat? Is your hair damp? Have you been swimming?"
"Mother, I didn't realize you were coming to visit. In fact, I am very surprised by it."
"Yes, well, I realized that, in the coming years, I shall have plenty of reason to come and stay for a visit," she looked about sorrowfully. "I doubt I shall ever wish to live here again, but I am sure I can get used to visiting. Now for goodness sake, go get some clothes on! Honestly! You would think I raised a ruffian."
He sighed and left the room, but not without shooting his wife a look that told her he would have his revenge. It was quiet in the room for a few moments before both ladies began to giggle.
"Catherine," Diana breathed, "why is my son running through the house partially dressed?"
"He and Thomas thought a swim would be a good idea, and neither Julia or I wished to expose ourselves to a man other than our own husband, so Julia proposed we take their horses and make them walk, and I suggested we should take their discarded clothes as well."
They laughed and her mother-in-law applauded their mischief. She determined she would congratulate Julia too, when she saw her. They managed to calm themselves before he joined them again, dressed appropriately for his station.
"You, Madame, should be punished," claimed Oliver as he entered their room. Catherine was sitting at her dressing table, brushing her hair. She had already dismissed her maid for the night.
"Should I? And what was my crime?"
"You left me stranded at the stream, half clothed."
"Ah, but that was your punishment for your impertinence."
"Me, impertinent?"
"Yes. Did you really believe it appropriate for me to strip down and go for a swim in the presence of your best friend?"
"You would have been covered!"
"The moment that fabric would have gotten wet, my shift would have been as translucent as your linen shirt!"
She giggled as she watched him think about it. He really hadn't realize. "Julia said Thomas should have known better. He has taken her swimming in the pond before. Next time, warn us ahead of time, and we shall come properly prepared."
"What do you think of Mother's visit?"
"I believe she wishes to make herself comfortable here again. I do not know how well that shall go for her. She seemed overcome with grief at times today."
"She loved my father greatly. For a time, I worried her heartbreak would send her to an early grave."
An idea suddenly struck her. "Oliver, have you changed anything since your father passed?"
"No, I have seen no reason to. Why?"
"She finds it hard to be here because so much reminds her of him. Perhaps changing some things might help her. New drapes, new upholstery, or simply rearranging a room can give the atmosphere a fresh feeling."
He thought about her idea. It certainly had merit. "It could have the opposite effect. She might resent her former home being changed too much."
"I will speak to her in the morning. There are some things I have been wishing to change. Nothing overly large, but this certainly opens an opportunity for it."
"An opportunity to spend large amounts of money, you mean." He laughed when her pillow hit its mark.
As she had hoped, his mother liked the idea, though she admitted it pained her a little at the same time. Diane felt almost as though there were ghosts at every turn, but there had been so many happy memories made in the house. There were some things Catherine would not change. The galleries, the library, and his mother's favorite salon would be left alone, but the rest would be receiving updates.
His mother stayed only a week, but in that time, he had seen her countenance improve. Catherine consulted her for her opinions on many things. Oliver thought that their chats and plans may have begun to do what nothing else had: give his mother peace over his father's passing. She was moving on.
It was now September. As nice as some of the changes were, there were some things that were beginning to wear on him.
"Where is my wife?" Oliver asked Mrs. Croft.
"I believe she is in the first-floor salon, Sir."
He thanked her and moved with purpose. He was pleased when her found in the room. She was sorting through swatches of cloth. He cleared his throat to announce his presence.
"Oh! Oliver, I am glad you are here. Which of these patterns do you like best? That couch in your study is in need of improvement."
"Where is it?"
"Where is what?"
"The rug."
"What rug?"
"The rug in my study."
"That ratty thing? I had it removed. Really Oliver, I know you have no eye for trappings, but that rug was an eye sore."
"Bring it back," he grit out.
"What?! Why?!"
"Because I said to. You have no place in my study."
He watched as many emotions crossed her face. Embarrassment and hurt were quickly replaced by anger.
"No place? You said I could change what I wished outside the spaces you and your mother specifically requested I leave alone. You never specified your study was out of bounds."
"I assumed you would know to steer clear of the room, and you gave me no indication that you wished to change anything there."
"Every time I approach you with something, you tell me I may do whatever I wish! I thought I would save us both the time."
"If it were any other room, I would not care. I expect the rug returned within the hour." He turned on his heel and left the room, the sounds of his wife's outrage following him out of the door. He was a bit too perturbed to care. He made his way out into the garden, hoping that the air might improve his mood. He walked until he felt completely drained. He hated being upset with his wife. Up to this point, there had been no friction that he could think of between the two of them. In reality, he always knew it would be a matter of time before they would be at odds over some matter. The longer he thought on it, the more regretful he felt. He resolved to seek out his wife.
He found her in his study. The footman had just replaced the rug when she realized he was in the room. The men soon left, leaving the husband and his young wife standing awkwardly in the room. Unable to tolerate the silence, they both spoke at once.
"I'm sorry."
"I had them turn…" Catherine stared at him. "What?"
"I said 'I'm sorry.' I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I would have still requested the rug be returned, but I should have explained myself. The rug was my grandfather's. It has graced the floor of this room for over fifty years. I know that it is not in the best condition, but like my mother, I am sentimental over some things."
"My grandmother left me a few pieces of her jewelry. Lydia has tried to take them more than once. I understand. I should have said something about wanting to update your study. When I was in here last week, I realized that it could do with a sprucing up, but I should have consulted you. I know I would not be happy if you decided to change something about my salon."
He walked forward and embraced her, resting his head atop hers. She, too, wrapped her arms around him.
"I don't like being angry with you," she said.
"Nor I you."
"This won't be the last, will it?"
"No, inevitably, I shall say something stupid, or you shall act in a manner which annoys me, or any matter of event will happen that will spark a grievance between us. What matters is how we handle the problem."
"What do we do? I don't want to be like my parents."
"We talk. We listen. We make necessary changes. We never give up. My parents, though they loved one another so much, were not perfect. They rarely quarreled out of their private chambers, but there were times I witnessed it. My father once told me the greatest thing one can do for their marriage is to always admit a wrong and do what is necessary to make it right. We are not perfect people, Catherine, but we can do our best."
She nodded her head and sighed. Oliver looked around. "I suppose I could use a new chair. That one is horridly uncomfortable. Unlike my father, such a seat does not encourage me to finish my work quickly, but to avoid it altogether."
"And the sofa?"
"It is looking a bit worn. Do you think you might be able to find a fabric of a similar color and pattern?"
"I will see what I can do," she said happily.
He looked at the rug his desk sat upon. "The rug looks different."
"I had the footman turn it so that the less worn sections are more visible."
He nodded his head in approval and kissed her before releasing her.
Why did I add this last part in this chapter? Just to show that they aren't always perfectly happy. Every couple has their issues, however, you won't be seeing many of theirs as the story goes into the next part.